Bungalow on Hawaii: How They Restored an Old Cottage

The bohemian town of Paia on the north shore of Maui is a paradise for surfers and kitesurfers.

George Hensler from California moved to the island with his wife Angela when the couple stepped away from the fashion industry.

George had been spending weeks at a time on the coast, changing rented accommodations. And finally he discovered an original wooden house: nestled among lush vegetation, literally at the edge of the water.

George Hensler: "People can say that I always follow the wind."
Renovating the bungalow with its relaxed Hawaiian charm required solutions that took into account the natural beauty of the location and the lifestyle of the owners. Simple and organic.

For the major renovation of the single-story house, they invited a team from Los Angeles led by Roberto Sosa, an architect and interior designer.

He was literally inspired by George's ideas, and soon the building plan was completely reworked, and the abandoned plantation turned into an oasis for modern travelers. The traditional island architecture revealed its full splendor.

A sofa for the living room on the open air was designed specifically and harmonizes with the angular wooden chairs by Pierre Jeanneret.

In a creative collaboration, the owner and architect chose authentic Hawaiian ohi'a wood as the material.

They decided to keep the exterior finish but repaint the siding in dark green instead of light, as was traditionally done by local customs.

They came up with sliding doors in the color of redwood to let more light into the house and allow more frequent glimpses of the surroundings: it's worth it.

They even designed some interior items in the spirit of iconic French designers from the middle of the last century. It was at this time, according to the owner, that his inner character took root.

They updated the dining area with floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors that open up to a luxurious view. The temperature on Maui is always slightly above or below 27 degrees Celsius, so stay outdoors for a full day or more. Every day.

Step and the open veranda around the entire house is just a hand's reach from the ocean.

New spaces on it are arranged to bring most of daily life outdoors among coconut palms, alibis, and bougainvillea.

Breakfast can be had outdoors right at the porch: the chairs are like in a classic Parisian bistro.

The architect proposed simple yet well-thought-out solutions to infuse the rooms with the breath of the ocean. Part of the veranda that opens into the garden is glazed: here it's easy to read or dream sweetly in silence before entering inside.

The interior of the house is flooded with light: the effect is supported by open ceiling beams and new wooden wall finishes in warm white tones.

The spacious kitchen is designed with minimalism: more is less. Matte spherical lights, open shelves for utensils, light cabinets (which, by the way, include a spacious refrigerator) and household appliances in white tones balance the accents: brass, black rustic metal hardware, steel, unprocessed wood, vintage glass with ceramics.

A modern note in the traditional interior — poured concrete countertops. The window above the sink is sliding.

Due to high ceilings in both the living room and bedrooms, there's plenty of air. Horizontal siding, as on the veranda, is a refrain, a tribute to local traditions.

The double sliding door in the bedroom is closed from inside with white curtains that glide on a track: extra privacy if needed.

Vintage elements on wooden furniture, paintings (some created by the surfer and artist Pete Cabrinia), and stunning black sconces help bring life to the strict horizontal lines in the wall finishing.

The architect added textural details to the austere bedroom: a woven headboard from sea algae and bamboo blinds won't let you forget that you're on an island in the tropics. In the master bedroom, the accent color is cool turquoise, while in the guest bedroom it's warm red notes and fuchsia.

Textiles are thoughtfully chosen: restraint, tactility, graphic clarity or local accents that don’t disrupt the overall light palette.

In the guest bedroom, built-in shelves double as bedside tables.

Wide window sills in both bedrooms are designed as additional rest areas.

Light, airy bathrooms create a resort-style atmosphere: built-in shelves for bath towels, brass taps, and an original soap-on-a-rope (soap on a rope) in the shape of a tropical fish.

The sink in the marble countertop was specially ordered for this project.

Steel sliding doors were given a second life: they function as door panels and partitions in the shower cubicles. One bathroom has large tiles with a geometric pattern, while another is decorated with small hexagonal tiles laid in rows.

The architect successfully synchronized internal and external spaces so that the view easily transitions from ocean vistas to the home décor.

In the exterior, green dominates: fences created by nature from heliconia and lilies or an open shower under the shade of trees. The patina on the copper mixer, which harmonizes beautifully with the greenish-brown latticed walls, appeared literally within a day under salty breeze: this is Hawaii, baby.

Even a modest corner can become the most beloved one. Tropical greenery from the former plantation allows you to feel completely secluded, contemplating the stunning landscapes of Maui.